As a sign that all is not well in the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government, members of the party’s executives that say they are “full blooded green” have alleged that the only reason why the PAOPA faction of the party wants to return the party to power in 2028 is “to protect their illegally acquired assets and favours they have amassed from their relationship with wanted Dutch cocaine smuggler Jos Leijdekkers,” also known as Bolle Jos among others.
It must be recalled that Jos Leijdekkers was sentenced in absentia by a court in Netherlands to 24 years for attempting to smuggle over seven tonnes of cocaine into their country, money laundering, and murder among others.
According to our sources in the ruling party government, Jos Leijdekkers has become a source of income and support to ranking members of the SLPP government who are allegedly in the pocket of the young Dutch drugs dealer.
“This young man is heavily invested in this country. He has his hands in so many businesses and has invested millions in people in the government, to stay safe and keep smuggling in secret, and our business and banking sectors to properly integrate his finances with those of clean and legitimate businesses in the country. The only reason why there is this rallying call for a third term is to get this young man’s attention so he can fund their campaigns because they have assured him that the only way he can remain protected is for the SLPP to remain in power. The government can no longer depend on international donors and sponsors who don’t want to continue funding our government for so many reasons. Therefore they need Jos’s drugs money, which is so plenty, to fund their activities. This is why they would not declare their assets,” a source close to the party and matter alleged.
Since the government is desperate for money to pay salaries and other obligations, money it does not have, our source alleged that the only way for the party government to stay liquid “is to bow to the little boy from Europe who happens to be that continent’s most wanted drug lord.”
Our sources revealed that many ranking members of the SLPP, going as far as mentioning the first family, are in fruitful relationships with Jos Leijdekkers, allegedly partnering up with him in his investments in property or real estate development, philanthropy, mining, banking and technology.
“There is a fear in the SLPP that if they leave power the APC will retaliate by going after them the same way Maada Bio and David Francis went after Ernest Bai Koroma and members of his government administration. This retributive way of governance has been the norm and is expected to be effected after every presidential elections cycle. So there is legitimate fear in the SLPP regime under Maada Bio that if they fail to win 2028 then their cash cow, Jos Leijdekkers will be left exposed. They also fear that this would also mean that they will be exposed as if this young man is captured he will name all the people and businesses he has been working with and those that work on his behalf. They don’t want to give an account of how they have amassed so much property and assets on their meagre government salaries. Therefore there is this frantic demand or call for a third SLPP term, although we don’t want it to be under Maada Bio and his family,” sources informed nightwatch.
According to the SLPP executives, there is no credible reason for the SLPP to believe that they stand a chance of winning 2028 unless there is a “serious motivating factor.”
“OK! So are we coming back to power to fulfil our promises on education, agriculture, healthcare, human capital development or infrastructural development? I don’t think so. Are we coming back to power to fix the economy and grant the people and state electoral justice? No! Is the SLPP desperate to reclaim State House to repair the damage done to our economy and international image? No! Is the SLPP trying to come back to power to solve our electricity and pipe borne water problems? So, what good reason does the party have to want to come back to power if not to protect themselves from prosecution and giving an account for their stewardship of the state, their relationship with Bolle Jos and the wealth they have acquired over such a short period of time? By staying in power these new rich SLPP members can also protect the goose that is laying their golden eggs,” the SLPP executives noted.
Sadly, all things come to an end; whether they are good or bad. Our sources in the SLPP executive noted that “this too shall come to pass,” adding that “president Bio’s term will soon end and all those who have treated our economy and government with levity and handled money with unclean hands no matter where they end up running to will be made to give an account. There will be the expected seizures and forfeitures and the court cases and other forms of settlements.”
Therefore, while the APC will be entering the 2028 presidential election to rescue the soul of our nation and the integrity of our democracy and presidency, the SLPP will be looking at how to best protect their cash cow, Jos Leijdekkers, and their newly acquired wealth, “all of which points to one thing: their own self-interest!” Lonta!